Tattoo Safety

Tattooing process involves needles that penetrate outermost layers of skin, safety and common sense are most important consideration.

A legitimate, well-trained tattooist follows strict health guidelines and is willing to answer any of your questions about tattooing procedures and concerns.

The primary fear most people express about getting tattooed is that they may contract HIV virus, which can cause AIDS. In fact, HIV is only one of many viruses that can be transmitted. Syphilis, tuberculosis, strep, staph, and hepatitis are just a few of other diseases to take into consideration. YES, you could get these diseases from a tattoo needle.

Like many activity, tattooing is potentially dangerous, but minimizing or eliminating potential danger is not unreasonably difficult. In fact, strict code of practices takes every safety measure so risk of transmitting HIV or other diseases is virtually nonexistent.

A qualified tattooist will have and use a real steam pressure autoclave - an autoclave is only reliable means of sterilization recognized by Center for Disease Control. Alcohol, bleach, and ultrasonic cleaning do not sterilize instruments, they only clean them before autoclaving.

Cope With and Minimize Tattoo Pain

Written by David Z

While there is no way to anticipate amount of pain you will experience, arriving with certain amount of determination will almost certainly guarantee you that it won't hurt as nearly as much as you expected.

Getting a tattoo involves piercing skin, and so there is going to be some pain involved, no matter how small tattoo and no matter where it is on your body. The amount and type of pain experienced is highly variable depending on each individual's tolerance to and acceptance of pain.

While tattooing, needles puncture skin at a very fast rate and at a variable depth. The outline is usually most painful work, because needles are being used to create a nice solid black line that will define tattoo, and so it is inserted deeply and carefully to ensure complete and effective coverage. The shading is usually not as painful, but this also depends upon depth of penetration and desired effect.

The pain you feel is generally as a slight burning or hot scratching sensation. Generally, tattoo is more painful if applied to areas of body where there is less muscle and fatty tissue covering bone, like wrists, ankles, chests, and other normally sensitive body areas. Upper arms are usually least painful, while ankles and sternum can be quite sensitive.